Airlines borrow USD 31bn to withstand COVID-19 hit on travel.

- A Monitor Desk Report 16 Apr, 2020 | 1043 Views|-+

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Dhaka: Major airlines across the world have borrowed over USD 31 billion of loans from lenders as they scrabble to obtain funding due to being forced to ground their fleets following the coronavirus outbreak.

Companies from the Americas account for lion share of the borrowings with almost USD 20 billion in total, according to data collated by Bloomberg. In the dash to secure financing, airlines have either been drawing down from on existing credit lines or taking on new loans, the report said.

Aviation and tourism worldwide is facing an unprecedented challenge posed by the pandemic as governments have shuttered the airports in efforts to contain the spread of the virus.

This has caused the airlines to stampede, as a response, to borrow from governments and banks. Besides US carriers, European airlines have also raised USD 7.4 billion since March 9, while Asian companies have lined up USD 4.1 billion, the report added.

The International Air Transport Association has repeatedly warned the health crisis could bankrupt half of the world’s airlines, pushing countries such as France and the Netherlands to prepare state bailouts.

The report by Bloomberg states that Air France-KLM, the largest borrower from the sector, got a USD 4.35 billion loan from six banks with the French state guaranteeing to up to 90 per cent. In addition, the airline arranged a USD 3.26 billion loan from the government, which is a direct shareholder. The company had previously drawn down on an existing USD 120 billion- credit line.

The UK’s EasyJet Plc also raised USD 744 million from the government’s COVID-19 Corporate Finance Facility in addition to a roughly USD 500 million bank loan. The carrier has also drawn down on an existing USD 500 million revolving facility.

In Asia, borrowers have been tapping funds from domestic lenders. Bank of Taiwan provided USD 666 million of direct loans each to China Airlines Ltd and Eva Airways Corp, while Singapore Airlines Ltd arranged a USD 2.8 billion loan with DBS Bank Ltd.

Meanwhile, at least USD 5 billion of deals are still in the pipeline, including loans for Emirates Airline, Japan’s ANA Holdings and Iberia, the Spanish unit of British Airways owner IAG SA.